Dollhouse smashed in rage, court told

A girl stood screaming as her dollhouse was smashed. Photo / Getty Images

A 10-year-old girl stood screaming as Adam Shaune Wallace smashed a dollhouse and other household items in an "uncontrollable fit of rage".

Wallace was intoxicated at his Gonville home on August 1 when his partner began talking about a separation, police prosecutor Sergeant Drew Morrison said.

"The defendant went into a sudden rage," Mr Morrison told the Whanganui District Court on Tuesday. The 39-year-old began throwing glasses on the floor, but left the house when his partner said she was going to call the police.

He returned when he realised police had not been called, and the victim ran outside to avoid him.

The girl remained inside and screamed as Wallace threw a remote at his partner's TV, smashing them both.

He also threw a container of cream on to the floor, "sending cream all over the carpet".

Wallace then picked up the dollhouse and threw it out the back door, smashing it.

His partner ran back inside and locked herself in the bathroom with the child until police arrived, Mr Morrison said.

Wallace pleaded guilty to wilful damage.

Defence lawyer Jacinda Younger said Wallace had previous convictions for the same charge but they were "a little while ago". He had been "out of trouble" for three years.

"He's lost his cool. He and his partner were talking about having a trial separation at that point. It was a fairly tense discussion, as Your Honour will appreciate.

"He was intoxicated on his own home brew he had made - he just didn't realise how strong it was."

Judge David Cameron sentenced Wallace to six months of supervision and 80 hours of community work. He also ordered he pay reparation of $799 for the TV and dollhouse.